Movie Monday

Countdown to the Oscars (February 27):

My picks for my favorite categories:

Best Actor (I've seen 4 out of the 5 performances nominated in this category - I can't speak to Javier Bardem's performance in Biutiful, but I do want to see it as well):

Colin Firth in The King's Speech - if you haven't seen this movie yet, go see it! Colin Firth does such an amazing job. He plays King George VI (the current Queen's father) who suddenly finds himself The King when his brother abdicates. The only problem is that he has a terrible stutter. His wife finds him a speech therapist (who is played by Geoffrey Rush and also does a great job) and the story of the friendship they make is incredibly heartwarming. Colin makes you empathize with The King on a grand level and he executes the stutter in such a way that I could feel how exhausting it must have been. He definitely wins my vote for Best Actor this year.

Best Actress (I've only seen 2 out of the 5 performances for this category):

While Natalie Portman does a good job in her role as The Black Swan (see previous Monday's review), I'm not sure if she should win. It's hard to pick when I've only seen 2 out of the 5 performances, but if I'm going according to previous awards shows this season, she seems like a shoe in.

Best Supporting Actor and Actress (I've seen 4 out of 5 performances in both of these categories):

I believe these awards should go to Christian Bale and Melissa Leo who play Dicky Eklund and Alica Ward (mother and son). I actually think that Christian Bale should be nominated for Best Actor, not best supporting actor (but then he would've been in competition with Colin Firth and I honestly can't say who I'd pick to win - they were both equally amazing). He's in the movie at least the same amount of time as Mark Wahlberg's character and has WAY more of a presence than almost anyone in the movie. He plays a real life person, which I think would be super hard to do, but at the end of the movie, they showed a clip of the real brothers and oh my goodness! It seemed like the same person. Dicky Eklund was once a very good fighter who got caught up in drugs. He seemed like he was always high on something because he was always moving or kind of skittish. It seems like he would've been a very tiring person to play, but he did a phenominal job.

Also doing a great job was Melissa Leo as his Mom. She was the boys manager and she was extremely controlling. Her character was over the top and since the movie was set in the 80s, had QUITE the wardrobe and hair get up. When I saw her later, on TV as herself, I had NO IDEA that was the same person I'd seen in the movie. She's been winning awards left and right for her performance as well. My votes go to these two. Another good movie I'd recommend. It's not amazing like some others I've seen, but it definitely is good.

Animated Feature Film (I've seen 2 of the 3 movies nominated in this category):

How To Train Your Dragon - I LOVED THIS MOVIE! Synopsis: "A hapless young Viking who aspires to hunt dragons becomes the unlikely friend of a young dragon himself, and learns there may be more to the creatures than he assumed." I can't explain exactly what it was that I loved about this movie ... it was just so sweet! I'm an animal lover, so although I don't believe in dragon's, my heart really does melt when I see a relationship form between a "pet" and an owner. A definite must see. Toy Story 3 was also nominated and although I enjoyed that one as well (yes, I did cry), How To Train Your Dragon was more original. We've seen the Toy Story theme a few times now and it was nice to see something different in a kids movie. Ok, funny story. Since I don't have kids (this movie came out before I was a Big Sister), if there's a kids movie I want to see, I have to go with my friends. I met my friend at the theatre and he was already in line when I got there, so I got in line a couple of people behind him. He turns around to say hi and I said, "So, are you ready to learn how to train your dragon?" The lady in between us kind of turned her head but didn't actually look at me and then I realized what I'd said. My friend just shook his head, smirked and looked away and I started laughing and went all shades of red. Aaaha! Too funny. So now when I hear the name of this movie, I can't help but smirk, but it doesn't take away from the greatness of the movie for me.

Best Picture (I've seen 9 out of the 10 movies nominated in this category ... I know! I was surprised as well ... I've never seen that many of the nominees!)

I think The King's Speech should win. It's one of those great movies that you can take your Mom to and not worry about her being offended. You know what I mean, right? Plus, all the actors did an amazing job. When I saw the trailors for this movie, I knew I wanted to see it, but I was worried that it would be a tad bit boring. I was completely wrong. It kept my attention the whole time and, as I mentioned before, it was very heartwarming. You left the theatre with such a good feeling in the pit of your stomach (ok, I did ... I guess I shouldn't speak for others). Loved, loved, loved this movie. If you don't get to see it in the theatre, it's coming out on DVD on April 19.

So there you have it. My picks for winners this year. Can't wait to see all the dresses on the red carpet, either. ;)